Control apparatus



Jan. 25, .1944. H. s. JONES 2,340,126

' CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Nov. 8, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fl I. 2 L' FIG] INVENTOR.

HARRY S. JONES fi I Jan. 25, 1944. H. s. JONES 2,340,126

CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Nov. 8, 1940 75 Sheos-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

HARRY s JNES BY firm! Jan. 25, 1944.

H. s. JONES CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Nov. 8, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG.4.

AMP

[9 FIGS.

AMP

INVENTOR.

ARRY s. JONES RNEY Patented Jan. 25, 1944 2,3 4l,126 CONTROL APPARATUS Harry s. Jones, Philadelphia. Pa assignmto The Brown Instrument Company. Philadelphia, Pa.,

vania a corporation '0! Pennsyi Application November 8, 1940, Serial No. 364,880

com.

tinuously responsive to derangement or failure 7 of the condition responsive means.

A specific object of the invention is to provide a supervisory control system to detect the derangement or failure of a thermocouple, which system operates in accordance with the impedance to the flow of alternating current of a circuit including the impedance of the thermocouple. A further object of the invention is td provide such a supervisory control system which is insensitive to the presence of stray alternating currents in said circuit due to inductive interference, or other causes.

Another specific object of the invention is to provide a supervisory control system responsive to thermocouple derangement or failure, which system is adapted to respond to effect a desired supervisory control action when the thermocouple impedance increases only slightly above a predetermined maximum value. I

A further specific object of the invention is to provide, in a circuit including a thermocouple and a direct current measuing instrument, means for producing a flow of alternating current of great enough magnitude to provide a measure of the impedance of said circuit and thereby to eifect a supervisory control action, and small enough under normal conditions of operation to avoid undesirable effects on the operation of the measuring instrument.

A further specific object of the invention is to provide a supervisory control system responsive control systems in which the circuit for measuring or indicating the condition to be controlled is repeatedly rebalanced and in which the movement of the associated rebalancing apparatus is utilized as a measure 'of the condition under control. In such systems the failure of certain elements of the measuring circuit results in a complete loss of control of the condition by the control system, under which circumstances the condition under control may assume excessive or destructive values. For example, when the control system is being used to control the supply of heat to a process in response to variations in temperature of the latter, as measured by a thermocouple subjected to the temperature of the process and adapted to control the state of balance of a null type measuring circuit. failure or open circuiting of the thermocouple renders the measuring circuit unresponsive to changes in the temperature of the process and consequently results in loss of control of the temperature of the process by the control system. Under such condition, heating agent will be supplied to the process irrespective of the temperature thereof. As a result the process is permitted to reach an excessive temperature which may cause considerable damage to the work being processed and also to the furnace.

In the prior art, supervisory control systems have been proposed wherein failure or open circuiting of a thermocouple is detected by measuring the impedance to the flow of alternating current of a test circuit including the thermocouple.

The test circuits, in such prior art arrangements. invariably are connected in parallel with the measuring circuit of the control system and in order to test for failure or open circuiting of the thermocouple, provisions are made for intermittently opening the measuring circuit. During the intervals when the measuring circuit is open, the test circuit is completed solely by the thermocouple so that open circuiting of the latter is readily detected. During such test intervals, however, the measuring circuit is unresponsive to variations in the temperature to which the thermocouple is subjected, and therefore, loss of controlof the condition by the control system is experienced. Furthermore, if failure or open cir cuiting of the thermocouple should occur during ing an alternate interval when the measuring circuit is closed, the control system is rendered unresponsive to temperature changes, and accordingly, heating agent is supplied irrespective of the temperature of the process. This requires that the intervals between the test intervals be extremely short in order to guard against the establishment'of an excessive and destructive temperature, and therefore, frequent disturbance of the measuring circuit.

These defects of the prior art arrangements have been avoided in accordance with my present invention by eliminating the necessity of disturbingthe measuring circuit, that is to say, dispensingwith the use of an interrupter or a like device for the measuring circuit and thus making the control system continuously responsive to the temperature of the thermocouple and also continuously responsive to failure thereof.

The supervisory control systems of the prior art moreover, have responded only to complete failure of the thermocouple, that is, an open circuit thereof. In accordance with my invention the circuit elements may be so proportioned that a supervisory control action in response to any value of thermocouple resistanceabove a predetermined maximum resistance is obtained; Cases of incipient thermocouple failure may therefore. I

be detected before complete failure occurs.

The supervisory control system of my present invention is further characterized by the fact that it can be added to existing control applications without disturbing the calibration of the latter. Because of this, the supervisory control apparatus of my invention may be connected in the lead wires between a thermocouple and a self balancing potentiometric measuring instrument, for example, without affecting the normal operation of the latter. This feature is believed to be novel with me and is believed to have considerable commercial importance.

The supervisory control system of my present invention is further characterized by the fact that it may be readily adapted for use in applications where it is desired only to give an alarm and effect discontinuance of the control by the system upon thermocouple failure, or to applications wherein it is desired to operate the control system to cut of! the supply of heat upon such failure,

The various features of novelty which characterize my invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention, however, its advan tages and specific objects attained with its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which I have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Of the drawings:

Fig. 1 illustrates diagrammatically an automatic temperature control system provided with a supervisory control system in accordance with my invention;

Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 are wiring diagrams illustrating modifications of my supervisory control system which may be used in measuring and control systems similar to that of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 7 is a wiring diagram illustrating a modification of Fig, 6.

In Fig. 1 I have shown a furnace I, in which a thermocouple 2 is inserted so that it may develop an E. M. F, proportional to the temperature therein. Heat is supplied to the furnace l"by a heating resistor R, and the current flow through the latter is controlled by means to be described hereinafter in accordance with the E. M. F. developed by the thermocouple 2.

The thermocouple, which may be located at a distance from the measuring and controlling apparatus, has its terminals connected by a pair of conductors 3 and 4 to the terminals of a null point potentiometric network 5. The network 5 includes a slidewire resistance 6 and an associated contact I, the latter of which is adapted to be moved along the length of the slidewire, and may be of any suitable type, for example, such as the Brown potentiometric network disclosed in Patent 1,898,124 issued to Thomas R. Harrison, February 21, 1933. l

The movable contact I of the potentiometer is attached to a suitable carrier which, for example, may be in the form of an internally threaded nut 8 adapted to ride on a screw threaded rod 9 which isrotated in one direction or the other under control of the thermocouple 2. A reversible motor I0 is coupled in any convenient manner to the screw threaded rod 9 to rotate the latter and thereby to move contact I along the slidewire 6 to rebalance the potentiometer when the latter is unbalanced.

One terminal of the thermocouple 2 is connected by the conductor 4, in which the secondary winding ll of a transformer I2 is inserted, to the left end of the slidewire 6, as seen in the drawings, and the other terminal of the thermocouple is connected by the conductor 3 to one contact I3 of an interrupter or converting device M. A second contact l5 of the interrupter is connected by a conductor H5, in which a resistor I1 is inserted, to the contact I.

The interrupter I3 operates to convert the direct currents resulting from unbalance of the potentiometric network 5 into pulsating currents capable of being readily amplified. Any desired form of interrupter may be used. The contacts I3 and I5 of the interrupter shown are opened and closed by a winding 18 which is energized, through an isolating transformer l9, from alternating current supply lines L and L Upon energization of winding I8, contacts l3 and I 5 will be alternately opened and closed, thus intermittently breaking the circuit. The winding l8 may desirably be polarized so that the circuit will be interrupted at supply line frequency.

The periodic interruption of the current which flows in the potentiometric network 5 when an unbalanced condition obtains produces a pulsating potential drop across the resistance l1, This potential drop is either in phase with the supply line voltage or displaced in phase 180 therefrom, depending upon the direction of current flow in the potentiometric network, and consequently, upon the direction of deviation of the temperature of furnace I from the desired value. This potential drop is impressed on the input terminals of an electronic amplifier 20, wherein it is amplified, and the amplified quantity is applied to the terminals of the reversible motor l0.

The motor ID is provided with three separate windings (not shown) having a common terminal 2|, and opposite terminals 22, 23, and 24, respectively. All the terminals are accessible from the exterior of the motor. The first of these windings is connected between terminals 2| and 22 and is energized from supply lines L and L through a circuit which may be traced from line LP, through a condenser 25, terminal 22, the motor winding, terminal 2|, a conductor 26, a contact 21, a switch arm 28, and a conductor 29 to line L When switch arm 28 engages contact 21, as it normally does when the system is in operation, the first motor winding is energized, and the current flow through it, due to the presence of condenser 25, is displaced substantially in phase from the line voltage. The second and third motor windings are connected between the common terminal 2| and terminals 23 and 24,

respectively. The energizing circuit for the second winding may be traced from line L, through ampliiier 20, a conductor 33, terminal 23, the second motor winding, terminal 2|, and thence along the last-described circuit to line L The energizing circuit for the third motor winding may be similarly traced from line L through amplifier 23, a conductor 3|, terminal 24, the third motor winding, and terminal 2I to line L.

The amplifier transmits energy to the sec-' ond motor winding through conductor 30 when the pulsating potential impressed across its input circuit is in phase with the line voltage, and transmits energy to the third motor winding through conductor 3I when the input potential is 180 out of phase with the line voltage. When the first winding alone is energized, no torque is transmitted to the rotor of motor l6. When the first and second windings are energized, the reaction of their magnetic fields produces a torque tending to rotate the rotor of motor I6 in one direction, and when the first and third windings are energized, a torque is produced tending to rotate the rotor in the opposite direction. It may be seen, therefore, that the motor III responds to a change in the E. M, F. developed by thermocouple 2 by moving the contact I along the slidewire 6 in the proper direction to rebelance thepotentiometric network 6.

If desired, a pen 32 may be mounted on the carriage 6 which carries the contact 1 and arranged in cooperative relation with a recorder chart 33 to provide thereby a continuous record of the temperature of the furnace I in which the thermocouple 2 is inserted. The chart 33 may be a strip chart, as shown, and may be driven in any convenient manner, as by a unidirectional motor 34 through suitable gearing (not shown), so that a record of the temperature to which the thermocouple 2 is subjected will be recorded as a continuous line on the chart.

It will be apparent that the supply of heating agent to the furnace I may be controlled in accordance with the deflections of the pen 32 along the chart 33. For example, a reversible electrical motor 36 having two opposed field windings (not shown) may be utilized to adjust a rheostat 36, which controls the flow of electrical current from the alternating current supp y lines L and L through a heating resistor located within the furnace I, in response to the deflections of pen 32. The mechanical connection of the rheostat 33 is such as to increase and decrease the supply of electric current through the heating resistor R as the furnace temperature rises above or falls below a predetermined level.

To this end the reversible motor 36 is energized for rotation in one direction or the other depending upon the direction of deflection of the pen 32 from a predetermined position along the chart 33. Specifically, a switch I6II, which is actuated in accordance with the adjustments of the pen 32, is provided for controlling the energization of the motor 35. The switch I60 includes a switch arm I6I, which is insulated from but is carried by the same support .as contact 'I, and also includes elongated contact segments I62 and I63 which are disposed on opposite sides of the arm I6I. The switch arm I6I is connected by a conductor I64 to the alternating current supply line L The contact segment I62 is connected by a conductor I66 to one terminal I61 of one motor winding and the contact segment I63 is connected by a conductor I68 in which a switch I69 is inserted. to one terminal I" of the other motor yvinding.

The switch I63 is closed during the normal operation of the system. The terminal I66 on motor 36 is common to both windings of the motor and is connected by conductor 42 to the supply line L. As shown, the terminal I61 of the first men'- tioned motor winding is connected through a switch "I to the alternating current supplyline L During the normal operation of the system the switch III is open. The switches I69 and'III are controlled by the relay 41. Their function in the control system is explained hereinafter.

' With the connections described, when the .arm I6I is in engagement with the contact segment I62, the first mentioned winding is energized for rotation in the direction to effect a reduction'in the supply of electrical current to the heating resistor R, and when the arm I6I is in engagement with the contact segment I63 the motor 33 is energized for rotation in the direction to' eil'ect an increase in the supply of current to the heating resistor R.

Although not shown, the contact segments I63 and I63 of the switch I60 are desirably made adjustable relatively to each other and to the chart 33 so that both the control point setting and the sensitivity of the apparatus may be adjusted in a manner well known in the art.

The secondary winding II of the transformer I2, which is connected in the conductor 4, has only a few turns, and hence presents a very low impedance to the fiow of current in the potentiometer circuit. Since this is the only element which need be inserted in the measuring circuit of an existing system in order to use the present invention, it is apparent that the calibration of the measuring circuit will not be appreciably disturbed. Furthermore, the alternating current produced in the measuring circuit by this transformer is very low, being of the order of 1.0 milliampere, so that its effect on the measuring circuit is insignificant for all practical purposes. The transformer I2 has a primary winding of high impedance which is shunted by a tuning condenser 38. Primary winding 31 is energized from the secondary winding 39 of a transformer 40 having a primary winding 4i energized from supply lines L and L through conductors 42and 29. The circuit from secondary winding 39 of transformer 43 to primary winding 31 oftransformer I2 may be traced from the right hand terminal of winding 33, as it appears in the draw ings, through a resistor 43, winding 31, and a conductor 44 back to an intermediate tap 43 on winding 36. Winding 33 also serves to energize a winding 46 of a relay 41 through a circuit ,con-

trolled by an electric discharge device 43,'- ':.'1"he discharge device 46 may be of any suitable type. and is shown as a triode having an anode-43, a control electrode 60, a cathode 6|, and a heater filament 62. The energizing circuit for relay winding 46 may be traced from the left end of transformer secondary winding 39, through relay winding 46 in parallel with a condenser 53, anode 48, cathode 6i, and conductor 44 to tap 46 of winding 36. The last described circuit will be hereinafter termed the output circuit of the discharge device 43. Control electrode 56 is connected to the common terminal of resistor 43 and winding 31 through a protective resistor 64. The circuit previously traced through winding 31 will be hereinafter termed the input circuit of the discharge device 48. Heater filament 52- may be energized from any suitable source (not shown).

When the thermocouple 2 is intact, the circuit through secondary winding II is complete, and

hence the impedance of primary winding "is relatively low. The potential drop across the terminal of winding 31 then has a value such that control electrode I is not sufllciently negative with respect to cathode II, during the half cycle of the alternating voltage supply conductors when the anode 49 of valve 48 is positive, to cut ofl the flow of current through the output cir-- cuit of the discharge device 48, and relay winding 4. is therefore energized. Upon open circuiting of thermocouple 2, however, the circuit through the transformer secondary winding II is opened, and the impedance of primary winding 31 accordingly becomes relatively high. The potential of control electrode 50 is thereby rendered more negative with respect to cathode 6|, during the half cycle of the voltage supply means when anode 48 is positive, and the flow of current through the output circuit of discharge device 48 is cut off.

The tuning condenser 38 is provided to intensify this effect. The capacitance of this condenser is adjusted to such a value that, when the secondary circuit of transformer I2 is open, the condenser 38 and winding 31 form a parallel resonant circuit having substantially infinite impedance to current flow of the impressed frequency. The grid-cathode potential, under such conditions, is substantially the full potential between the tap 45, and the right-hand, or negative, terminal of secondary winding 39. When the secondary circuit of transformer i 2 is closed, its primary winding 31 has a different value of effective impedance, and hence the circuit is no longer resonant at the impressed frequency, and the potential drop across winding 31 is relatively low.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the impedances of resistor 43, condenser 38, and winding 31 may be adjusted so that the circuit will be resonant when a certain value of resistance exists in the secondary circuit of transformer 12. This critical resistance value may be chosen so that when the thermocouple resistance exceeds its maximum safe value, the relay will immediately be deenergized. The device thus may be made sensitive to incipient thermocouple failures.

Relay 41 includes the winding 46, the switches I" and "I and the switch arm 28 which cooperates with the front contact 21 and a back contact 55. When the relay winding 48 is energized, switch arm 2| is in engagement with the front contact 21, closing the circuits previously described through the windings of motor l0, switch I" is closed and switch "I is open. When the relay winding 48 is deenergized, switch I69 is opened, switch 11! is closed and switch arm 28 engages the back contact 55, completing a circuit which may be traced from line I? through conductor 42, conductor 56, an audible signalling means 51 in parallel with a visual signalling means 58, contact 5!, switch arm 28, and conductor 29 to line L The effect of opening switch I" and closing switch ili is to open the circuit of the winding of motor 35 which operates the latter in the direction to increase the supply of electricaLcurrentto-resistor -R and to close a circuit to the other winding of motor 35 independent of the switch I60. Motor 35 then operates to reduce the supply of electrical current to the resistor R, and thereby prevents the establishment of an excessive temperature condition'within the furnace i upon failure of thermocouple 2. There- -fore, it may be seen that relay 41 operates in response to failure of thermocouple 2 to deenergize the motor I 0, to operate the motor 3! in a safe sense, and to energize the signals 51 and 58. Other switch arms, may be provided on relay 41, if desired, to operate any other apparatus found necessary or desirable.

In Fig. 2 I liaveillustrated a modification of my invention in which means are provided to prevent any undesirable reaction of the converter H to the alternating current introduced in the potentiometer circuit by the winding 1 l of the Fig. 1 arrangement. frequency of the alternating current supplied by the winding II is the same as the frequency of operation of the interrupter 14. The phase relations of these two effects may be such as to produce a driving torque on the motor 10 when the potentiometer circuit is balanced. This undesirable condition is avoided in the Fig. 2 arrangement by employing a frequency converter for introducing a supervisory alternating current of a frequency which is appreciably greater than the frequency of interruption of the interrupter I4 into the potentiometric network. Fig. 2 also illustrates means for introducing the supervisory alternating current into the potentiometer circuit which are separate from the means used to measure the impedance of said circuit. This provides a more flexible circuit in that it is possible to change one of these elements, if found desirable, without disturbing the other. In Fig. 1, both of these functions are performed by the transformer i2, while in Fig. 2 separate circuit elements are used. Parts in Fig. 2 which are the equivalent of corresponding parts in Fig. 1 have been given the same reference numerals.

The transformer 40 of Fig. 1 has been replaced in the Fig. 2 arrangement by a transformer 8i having a primary winding 62 and secondary windings 63. 64 and 85. Secondary winding 53 supplies power to the frequency converter 60 which changes the frequency from that of the alternating current supply lines L and L to any other desired frequency, preferably a higher frequency. The output circuit of the frequency converter 60 is connected to a primary winding 86 of another transformer 61 having secondary windings 88, 69 and 10.

Secondary winding 68 of transformer 61 is connected in conductor 4 and serves to introduce a high frequency alternating potential into the potentiometer circuit. The magnitude of the high frequency current flowing in that circuit, and hence the circuit impedance, is measured by passing the current through a primary winding H of a transformer 12 which may conveniently be connected in the conductor 4. Both windings 68 and 1| are so designed that the alternating currents flowing in them are small whereby their effect on the operation and calibration of the measuring circuit is negligible. The transformer 12 has a secondary winding 13 which is connected'in the input circuit of an electric discharge device 14. The latter may be of any convenient type, and is shown as a tetrode comprising an anode 15, a screen electrode 16, a control electrode 11, a cathode 18, and a heater filament 19. The input circuit 01.- discharge device 14 may be traced from cathode 18 through secondary winding 69 of transformer 81 and secondary winding 13 of transformer 12 in parallel with a condenser 80 to control electrode 11. The secondary winding 69 is connected with its polarity such that it biases control electrode 11 negatively with respect to cathode 18, during the half cycles when anode 15 is positive. The secondary wind- In the Fig. 1 arrangement, the

ing 18 of transformer 12 is connected with its polarity opposing that or secondary winding 88. When the potentiometer circuit is complete, the high frequency current flowing through primary winding 1| of transformer 12 induces a potential in secondary winding 13 This efltectively opposes the biasing potential of winding 68 so that the' control electrode 11 is at nearly the same potential as cathode 18, and the output circuit of discharge device 14 is therefore conductive. When the potentiometer circuit is incomplete, however, due to thermocouple failure, no potential is induced in the secondary winding 13, and the biasing potential of winding 68 is effective to render the discharge device 14 non-conductive. The function of condenser 88 is identical with that of condenser 88 in the Fig. 1 arrangement. The output circuit of discharge device 14 may be traced from cathode 18 through transformer secondary winding 18, and a resistor 8| in parallel with a condenser 82, to anode 15. Condenser 82 tends to smooth the pulsating output current 01 discharge device 14 and produce a relatively steady potential drop of the polarity indicated in The screen the drawing across the resistor 8|. electrode 16 is connected to a tap located at the proper point .on resistor 8| to provide electrode 16 with the correct operating potential. Thus, it is seen that a potential is produced across resistor 8| when the potentiometer circuit is complete. but that the potential disappears when the potentiometer circuit is opened, as by thermocouple failure.

The potential so produced across the resistor 8| is used to control the input circuit of another electric discharge device 83, of any suitable type, which is shown as a triode having an anode 84, a control electrode 85, a cathode 86, and a heater filament 81. The input circuit of discharge device 83 may be traced from cathode 86 through secondary winding 64 of transformer 6|, a conductor 88, resistor 8| and condenser 82 in parallel, and a conductor 88 to control electrode 85. Winding 64 is so connected that its polarity tends to bias the control electrode 85 negatively with respect to cathode 86 during the half cycles when anode 84 is positive with respect to cathode 86. When no potential is present across resistor 8|, the biasing potential of winding 64 is. efiective to prevent the flow of current in the output circuit of discharge device 83. The potential across resistor 8|, however, is normally effective to overcome the biasing potential of winding 64, thereby rendering the discharge device 83 conductive. The output circuit of discharge device 83 may be traced from cathode 86 through secondary windings 64 and 65 and relay winding 46 in parallel with condenser 83, to anode 84. The heater filaments 18 and 81 may be energized from any convenient source (not shown).

It may, therefore, be seen that this circuit responds in the same way as the circuit of Fig. 1 to the failure of thermocouple 2. That is to say, when the potentiometer circuit is complete, relay winding 46 is energized, and when thepotentiometer circuit is opened due to thermocouple failure, or from any other cause, relay winding 46 is deenergized.

In Fig. 3 I have illustrated somewhatvdiagrammatically another modification of th arrangement of Fig. 1 wherein a diilerent controllin means are employed, and wherein a bridge cir-' cuit is used to prevent undesirable alternating currents from entering the potentiometer and control circuits. Again, parts having their equivalents in Fig. 1 have been given the same reference numerals.

The bridge circuit referred to comprises four arms, connected between four terminals 88, 8|, 82 and 88. The first arm of the bridge is connected between terminals 88 and 8|, and comprises thermocouple 2, conductors 8 and 4, and a resistor 84, the latter being preferably adjustable to compensate for changes in the resistance of conductors 8 and 4. The second arm of the bridge is connected between terminals 8| and 82 and includes a resistor 85 and that part of a resistor 88 between one terminal thereof and an adiustable tap which serves as terminal 82; The third arm of the bridge is connected between terminals 82 and 88 and includes the remainder of resistor 86 and a resistor 81. The fourth bridge arm is connected between terminals 88 and 88 and comprises a resistor 88.

The controlling means illustrated in Fig. 3 is connected between terminal 8| and contact 1 of potentiometric network 6, and comprises a contact making galvanometer 88 of any suitable con- 7 struction. The left end of slidewire 8 is connected to terminal 83 to complete the potentiometric network 5. The bridge is balanced when the thermocouple 2 is intact, so that terminals 8| and 83 are at the same potential with respect to the alternating current circuit to be described,

and hence no alternating current will flow through the galvanometer and potentiometer circuit. Furthermore, terminals 88 and 82 are at the same potential with respect to the direct current measuring circuit, so that no direct current flows through the alternating current circuit. From the foregoing it will be apparent that the insertion of this bridge circuit in the conductors 8 and 4 will cause substantially no change in the calibration of the measuring circuit.

In Fig. 3, the transformer 48 of the Fig. 1 arrangement has been replaced by a transformer I88, having a primary winding IM and secondary windings I82 and I88. 'lhe winding I83 is'used to supply the output circuit of the discharge device 48, which circuit may be traced from the lower terminal of winding I83, as it appears in the drawings, through relay winding 46 in parallel with condenser '58, anode 48 and cathode 5| to a tap I84 on winding I88. The upper terminal of winding I88 is connected at I85 to the lower terminal of winding I82. The windings are connected so that the polarity of the common terminal I85 is opposite that of both the end terminals.

For instance, when the common terminal I85 is through winding I82, bridge circuit terminal 88,

the bridge circuit, terminal 82, a conductor I86, and a resistor I81 back to terminal I85. Cathode 5| isconnected to this circuit through tap I84 and part of winding I88 to terminal I85. Control electrode 58 is connected to the conductor I86. During the half cycles when anode 48 is positive, that part of winding I88 between tap I84 and terminal I85 biases control electrode 58 negative with respect to cathode 5|. When the thermocouple 2 is intact and the bridge circuit is complete, current flowing through the input circuit from winding I82 produces a potential drop across resistor I81 which effectively opposes the biasing potential of winding I88, and the output circuit of discharge device 48 is therefore rendered conductive, and relay winding 48 is energized. When thermocouple 2 fails, however, the first arm of the bridge circuit is opened, and the bridge circuit resistance is thereby increased. This reduces the potential across resistor I01, and the biasing potential of winding I03 becomes eifective to cut oil the flow of current in the output circuit of discharge device 48, thus deenergizing relay winding 46.

The circuit arrangement of Fig. 3 may be made sensitive to an increase in the resistance of thermocouple 2 above any desired value by properly proportioning the resistor ID], the transformer windings, and the bridge circuit resistances, and by providing a discharge device having a sharp cut-oil characteristic.

In Fig. 4 I have illustrated, more or less diagrammatically, still another modification of the arrangement of Fig. 1 wherein a diiferent type of control is employed, and wherein filter means are used to prevent the flow of undesirable alternating currents in the measuring and controlling circuits.

In the arrangement of Fig. 4, the alternating current circuit is connected in parallel with the measuring and controlling circuits across the conductors 3 and 4. The said alternating current circuit may be traced from conductor .3, through a secondary winding I08 of a transformer I09 having a primary winding H0, a winding III of a relay H2, a condenser H3, conductor 4, and thermocouple 2 back to conductor 3. The condenser H3 is provided to prevent the flow of direct current through this alternating current circuit, and consequent disturbance of the calibration of the measuring and control circuits. A condenser H4 and a choke coil H5, connected in parallel, are inserted in the conductor 3 between the alternating current circuit connection and the measuring and controlling circuit. The impedances of condenser H4 and coil H are of such value that they form a parallel resonant circuit which presents infinite impedance to the flow of alternating current of the frequency supplied by transformer I09. The alternating current is therefore substantially completely blocked out of the measuring and controlling circuits.

When the thermocouple 2 is intact, the relay H2 receives energizing current through a circuit including the thermocouple. Upon thermocouple failure, however, relay H2 18 deenergized and operates to impress across the contactmaking galvanometer 99 a potential of such polarity as to simulate a rise in temperature at thermocouple 2. Relay H2 includes the winding'III and switch arms H6, H1 and H8, cooperating respectively with back contacts H9, I20 and IN. A back contact of a relay may be defined as one through which a circuit is closed when the relay winding-lis deenergized.

When the relay H2 is deenergized, a circuit is completed which may be traced from one terminal of a battery 5A in the potentiometric network 5 to contact H9, switch arm H6, a conductor I22 in which a current limiting resistance I23 is inserted, to galvanometer 99, a conductor I24, switch arm H1, and contact I20 to the opposite terminal of battery 5A. Closing of this circuit applies a potential to the galvanometer 99 of polarity opposite to that supplied by battery 5A through the normal potentiometrfc circuit and, therefore, produces the same effect on the control circuit as is produced thereon by a rise in temperature at thermocouple 2, namely, a reduction on the supply of heating agent to the furnace. As illustrated. deenergization of the relay H2 also effects the closure of a shunt or damping circuit about the galvanometer 89 through a resistance I26. This circuit may be traced from the upper terminal of galvanometer 89 through conductor I24, contact I2I, switch arm H8, resistance I25 and conductor I22 to the lower terminal of galvanometer 99.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the control means of Fig. 4 and the control means of Fig. 1 may be interchanged, if desired. That is to say, the contacting galvanometer 01' Fig. 4 is the equivalent of the converter and amplifier means of Fig. 1. Likewise, each arrangement may utilize its relay contacts either to discontinue the control and operate a signal or to apply a potential to the control circuit so as to cause discontinuance of the heat supply.

In Fig. 5 I have shown a further modification of the Fig. 1 arrangement wherein the use of a relay may be dispensed with. In this circuit, thermocouple failure causes a change in phase of the alternating potential in the thermocouple circuit, and this phase change is utilized to apply directly to the amplifier 20 a potential simulating a rise in thermocouple temperature.

In Fig. 5 an alternating potential is applied to the thermocouple circuit by a transformer I24A having a primary winding I25A and a secondary winding I26. The current produced by this alternating potential normally flows through a circuit which may be traced from conductor 3, through transformer secondary winding I26, a resistor I21, a condenser I28, contact I, slidewire B, conductor 4, and thermocouple 2 back to conductor 3. It is noted the slidewire 6 and thermocouple 2 are shunted by the resistor I1 and the interrupter I4. The reresistance of this latter connection including resistor I1 and interrupter I4 is considerably higher than that of slidewire 6 and thermocouple 2, and therefore, relatively little alternating current flows through said latter connection. The capacitance of condenser I28 and the resistance of resistance I21 are so selected that the alternating current flowing through them is substantially 90 out of phase with the supply line current.

It will accordingly be apparent that the alternating current flowing through the thermocouple 2 does not normally produce in the input circuit of amplifier 20 an impulse which is efiective to drive motor I0, since the portion of the alternating current flowing through resistance I1 is very small normally and, moreover, its phase is such as to render it inefiective.

When the thermocouple 2 fails, however, the circuit through the thermocouple shunting resistor I1 and converter I4 is opened, and the alternating current flowing through the latter elements is thereby greatly increased. At the same time, the resistance in circuit with condenser I28 is increased which resistance increase eifects a change in phase of the current in the direction to make the latter more nearly in phase with the supply line voltage. The net effect of these changes is to produce a potential drop across resistor II, which, acting through the amplifier 20, is effective to drive the motor I0 and thereby the motor 35 in the proper direction to shut off the supply of heat to furnace I.

The condenser I28 is also effective in this circuit to prevent the flow of direct current through winding I26and resistor-I1, so that the calibration, or the sensitivity, of the measuring circuit will not be disturbed by the addition of. the supervisory control device to it.

In, Fig. 6 I have illustrated more or less diagrammatically another modification of the Fig. l arrangement wherein the use of a relay may be dispensed with. In this circuit thermocouple failure causes the application of an alternating potential on the input circuit of amplifier 20 which potential is normally compensated for and is of the phase to cause the amplifier 20 to drive the motor III and thereby the motor 35 in the proper direction to shut off the control. In Fig. 6 an alternating potential is applied to the thermocouple circuit by a transformer I30 having a primary winding I3I and a secondary winding I32. The current produced by this alternating potential normally flows through a circuit which may be traced from conductor 3, through transformer secondary winding I32, a resistor I23, contact I, slidewire 6, conductor .4 and thermocouple 2 back to conductor 3. In this arrangement as in the Fig. 5 arrangement, the

slidewire Ii and thermocouple 2 are shunted by the resistor II and the interrupter l4. The resistance of the resistor I1 and interrupter-III is conalternating potential across said thermocouple,

and means responsive to the flow of alternating current through said thermocouple to continuously control said connection.

2. A control system including in combination an electrical network, 'means responsive to a condition and tending to unbalance said network, means continuously responsive to the state of unbalance of said network to rebalance said network, a connection between said last-named means and said network, means to apply an alternating potential across said condition-responsive means, and means continuously residerably higher than that of slidewire 6 and thermocouple 2, and therefore relatively little alternating current fiows through said resistor II and interrupter I4. Thus, when the thermocouple 2 is intact the alternating potential applied to the circuit by the transformer secondary winding I32 is ineffective to actuate the motor Iu and thereby motor 35 for rotation.

Upon failure of the thermocouple 2, however, the low resistance shunt about the terminals of the transformer secondary winding I32 and resistance I29 is open cireuited, and accordingly an'increased how of alternating current is produced through the resistance II and interrupter M. This alternating current flow is of the correct phase to efiect actuation of the pen 32 upscale and thereby to cause the reversible motor 35 to cut oil the supply of heating agent to the furnace I.

In Fig. 7 I have illustrated more or less diagrammatically a modification of the Fig. 6 arrangement in which the transformer secondary winding I32 and resistance I29 are connected directly between the conductors 3 and 4. In this circuit the alternating potential applied to the potentiometric circuit normally tends to produce a motor energizing effect in the proper direction to drive the pen 32 upscale but this energizing effect is compensated for :by the direct current flow from the thermocouple through the transformer secondary winding I32 and resistance I29. Therefore, as long as the thermocouple 2 is intact, the alternating potential applied to the thermocouple circuit is ineffective to cause actuation of the motor III and thereby motor 35, but upon failure of the thermocouple 2, said alternating potential effects actuation of said motors in the proper direction to cut off the supply of heat to furnace I.

While in accordance with the provisions of the statutes I have illustrated and described the best form of embodiment of my invention now known to me, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes may be made in the form of the apparatus disclosed without departing from the spirit of my invention as set forth in the appended claims, and that certain features of my invention may sometimes be used sponsive to the flow of alternating current through said condition-responsive means to control said connection.

3. In a control system having a thermocouple responsive to a temperature condition to produce an electromotive force variable in accordance with said temperature condition, means to continuously detect failure of said thermocouple comprising a transformer having a pair of windings in inductive relation, one of said windings beng connected in series with said thermocouple, a source'of alternating current, relay means, a circuit including said relay means, said source of alternating current and the other winding of said transformer, and a signal controlled by said relay means to indicate failure of said thermocouple.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein the electromotive force produced by said thermocouple is opposed to a known electromotive force and including means for translating the difference between said electromotive forces into an alternating current of the same frequency as that of said alternating current source, and means controlled by said alternating current to indicate the magnitude of said condition.

5. The combination of claim 3 wherein the electromotive'force produced by said thermocouple is opposed to a known electromotive force and including means for translating the difference between said electromotive forces into an alternating current of regular frequency but of frequency different from. the frequency of said alternating current source, and means controlled by said alternating current to indicate the magnitude of said condition.

6. In a control system having a thermocouple responsive to a temperature condition to produce an electromotive force variable in accordance with said temperature condition, means to continuously detect failure of said thermocouple comprising a transformer having a pair of windings in inductive relation, one of said windings being connected in parallel with said thermocouple, a source of alternating current, relay means, a circuit including said relay means, said source of alternating current and the other winding of said transformer, and a signal controlled by said relay means to indicate failure of said thermocouple.

7. In a control system having a thermocouple responsive to a temperature condition to produce an electromotive force variable in accordance with said temperature condition, means to continuously detect failure of said thermocouple comprising a source of alternating current. a transformer having a pair of windings in inductive relation, one of said windings being connected in series with said thermocouple and said source of alternating current, an electronic valve having an input circuit and an output circuit, a connection between the other winding of said transformer and the input circuit of said valve, a. source of energizing current for the output circuit of said valve, relay means, a circuit including said relay means, said second mentloned source of current, and the output circuit 01' said valve, and a signal controlled by said relay means to indicate failure of said thermocouple.

8. In a control system having a thermocouple responsive to a temperature condition to produce an electromotive force variable in accordance with said temperature condition, means to.

continuously detect failure of said thermocouple comprising a resistance, a condenser, a trans former having a pair of windings in inductive relation,- one of said windings being connected in parallel with said thermocouple through said resistance and condenser, a source or alternating current, relay means, a circuit including said relay means, said source of alternating current and the other winding of said transformer, and a signal controlled by said relay means to indicate failure of said thermocouple.

HARRY S. JONES. 

